A new school year has begun in America. But some children do not go to school.

Instead, they learn at home,

usually with their parents as teachers. Educational companies, libraries, school systems and the Internet
provide families with teaching material.
Homeschooling is increasingly popular. Homeschooling groups estimate that two million children (around
two percent), learn at home. The last government estimate was 850,000 in 1999. Current numbers are not
expected until next year.

Some parents choose homeschooling because of their religious beliefs. Others say it provides more time for
the family to be together. Many parents also believe homeschooling avoids problems of a lot of traditional
schools. One problem is classes with too many students.

Critics, though, say children need to attend

school with other children to help them learn
things like social skills. They also say that some
homeschooled children do not get a very good
education.
All fifty states and the District of Columbia
permit homeschooling. Some, however, require
more preparation by parents or testing of
children than others do.

Homeschooling is as old as the country. In farm

areas, people often lived far from a school.
Then, in 1852, the state of Massachusetts passed
the first law to require children to attend school.
The public education system grew. By the
nineteen sixties and seventies, however, some Americans believed that traditional education was not helping
their children. So a number of parents began homeschooling.

Homeschool expert Linda Dobson says some parents began to teach their children at home when some
religious schools closed. This happened after changes in tax laws in the nineteen eighties. Since then, she says,
more people have joined the movement -rich and poor, and people from many races, religions and political
beliefs.
There is even a "National Home School Honor Society". Membership is based in part on the same tests that
students take in school.

Homeschooled children go to college and have also won top competitions. These include this year's National
Geographic Bee. Fourteen-year-old James Williams knew that the Indian state of Goa is a former colony of
Portugal.

Source: http://www.manythings.org/voa/0/10688.html

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Match the word with its meaning

1. popular ______ the feeling of being certain that something exists or is true
2. belief ______ containing too many people or things
3. overcrowding ______ to make something possible or easier
4. permit ______ the state of belonging to an organization
5. membership ______ liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people
6. to facilitate ______ to allow something

Answer the questions

1. The term "homeschooling" refers to ...

• an educational program accessible on the
Internet.
• an education system where teachers go
to families to do class.
• a system that allows families to teach
their own children themselves.
• an education system set up for religious
reasons.
2. "Homeschooling" ...
• is a system as old as the United States
itself.
• is a new phenomenon in the USA.
• is a tradition within religious families.
• was put in place and developed by the
previous government.
3 "Homeschooloing" concerns today ...
• the majority of children of school age.
• about half of school-age children.
• a tiny minority of children of school age.
• only children with an Internet
connection at home.
4. Today, "homeschooling" ...
• is only allowed in some states.
• is authorized in all states except
"District of Columbia".
• is only allowed in the state of
Massachusetts.
• is authorized in all states.

5. The United States consists of ... 7. "Homeschooling" and legislation.

• 48 states. • In most states, local authorities have
• 49 states. little control over the homeschooling
• 50 states. system.
• 51 states. • In all states, local authorities exercise
very strict control over the system.
6. According to some, all children should • Controls and requirements vary from
attend a traditional school ... state to state.
• for religious reasons. • There is no control over the system.
• to facilitate the socialization of
children. 8. Today, "homeschooling" ..
• to promote equal opportunities for • concerns only well-off social categories.
children. • is a system that is practiced only in
• because only the traditional school is remote rural areas.
able to teach children that GOA is a • concerns all social categories.
former Portuguese colony. • mainly concerns children who are too
weak to follow traditional education.

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9. Among the reasons for some parents to educate their children at home is ..
• the disappearance of the public school in the United States.
• the loss of confidence in the traditional school.
• the pleasure of breaking the law.
• overcrowding in the classes.

10. James Williams is ...

• the head of the National Home School Society.
• a young Indian from the state of Goa.
• a young boy, out of school, who has distinguished himself in a national competition.
• The name given to the 14th National Geographic Bee in honor of a former Portuguese colony.

Using the words below, write a short paragraph on home schooling.

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 Do you think homeschooling is a good idea? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of
homeschooling? Fill in the table below.

Advantages Disadvantages

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